The Memphis Grizzlies have emerged as an early Western Conference surprise, with rival executives and scouts viewing them as a potential playoff team.
Memphis opened the season with six consecutive wins before losing three straight, including a 128-97 defeat to Oklahoma City on Friday, November 6. The Grizzlies are 6-3 after nine games, but their start has already changed how people around the league assess their outlook.
“They’ve got a bunch of guys that are trying to prove themselves, but they play together,” a Western Conference executive told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon. “They’re very physical. Sometimes you get those teams where all the pieces fit together because everybody accepts their roles.”
A Western Conference scout compared Memphis with last season’s Phoenix Suns, a team projected to miss the playoffs that ultimately won 45 games and secured the eighth seed. The scout described the Grizzlies as “the Phoenix of last year.”
Ty Jerome has been central to the early success. The guard is averaging 26.6 points and 5.3 assists through eight appearances, while shooting 50.3% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range.
Jerome missed almost all of last season because of injury, after playing a significant role in Cleveland’s 2024-25 campaign. A Western Conference executive told ESPN that Jerome has consistently contributed when healthy and added: “If he’s healthy and playing and you put the ball in his hands, the guy is going to put up numbers.”
Memphis also has a young foundation beyond Jerome. Cameron Boozer, Cedric Coward, Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells are all on rookie contracts, giving the franchise several developing pieces to build around.
Boozer is averaging 15.6 points, 10 rebounds and 5.2 assists in nine games. Coward is putting up 13.8 points and 8.8 rebounds, while Wells is averaging 10.7 points. Edey has added 8.3 points and 7.9 rebounds in eight appearances.
The Grizzlies’ early schedule has been favorable. Their six-game winning streak included victories over Utah twice, Sacramento twice, Golden State and Portland, before losses to New Orleans, Indiana and Oklahoma City.
That schedule makes it too early to treat Memphis as a playoff lock. However, a Western Conference scout told ESPN that a .500 finish would be a welcome outcome and said early success can help young players gain confidence.
Memphis also has assets to improve the roster. ESPN reported that the Grizzlies hold nine tradable first-round picks and are positioned to create significant salary-cap space in the offseason.
A Western Conference coach summed up the team’s current level to ESPN: “For where they are in their arc, they’re pretty freakin’ good.”
Memphis visits the Toronto Raptors on Monday, November 9, before hosting the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, November 11.
